Frankel half-brother to 1,000 Guineas winner Elmalka set for Yarmouth debut against St Mark's Basilica's Kingman half-sibling

Our resident bloodstock experts profile the well-bred eyecatchers and expensive purchases set to grace the track.

Sallaal

British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (2.45 Yarmouth, Tuesday)

What's the story?

A fascinating renewal of this seven-furlong contest as two half-siblings to Classic winners face off for Roger Varian and the Gosden stables. Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's Sallaal is a homebred and takes on Wathnan Racing's Wicked, a 600,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 purchase from Norelands last year. 

How's he bred?

Sallaal is the ninth foal out of the top-notch race filly and broodmare Nahrain, winner of the Prix de L'Opera and Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes for Varian. 

The daughter of Selkirk is out of the Generous mare Bahr, a Listed winner at two and winner of the Ribblesdale and Musidora Stakes at three for Godolphin and Saeed bin Suroor. 

Nahrain is a half-sister to dual Listed winner Baharah and In Dubai, dam of Railway Stakes winner Go Bears Go. Sallaal is therefore a half-brother to three black-type winners or performers, including top-level scorers Elmalka and Benbatl. 

The former won the 1,000 Guineas this year for Sheikh Ahmed and Varian, while Benbatl was a top-class globetrotter for Godolphin and Bin Suroor, his victories including the Dubai Turf, Grosser Dallmayr Preis - Bayerisches Zuchtrennen and Ladbrokes Stakes. 

Benbatl: top-class performer for Saeed bin Suroor and GodolphinCredit: Edward Whitaker

The son of Dubawi now resides at Big Red Farm in Japan and also shuttles to Woodside Park Stud in Australia. 

Who does he face?

The aforementioned Wicked looks the most obvious one to focus on, being a Kingman close relation to 2,000 Guineas and Futurity Trophy winner Magna Grecia. The colt is also a half-sibling to St Mark's Basilica, winner of the Dewhurst at two and then unbeaten at three for Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore, landing the French Guineas and Derby, Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes. 

Twice-raced Arizona gelding Pinkarizon improved on his debut effort for a second at Ffos Las in August. The youngster is out of the Namid mare Pink Moon, making him a half-brother to stakes-winning stayer Rajinsky.

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